Scarbinsky: How can you not be romantic about college baseball in Alabama?

This is an opinion column.

Forget the prestige of programs like Miami and Florida; this is the era of the underdog in Alabama baseball. While the Hurricanes and Gators boast deep histories of College World Series success, they found themselves humbled by Troy this past Sunday. The Trojans, initially entering the tournament as an at-large longshot, dismantled Miami 9-6 and followed up with a 16-11 statement win over the No. 8 national seed, Florida. Now, Troy is just one win away from a Super Regional appearance.

Making Waves in the Postseason

Troy’s explosive performance—racking up 32 hits and nine home runs across two games—has effectively silenced the mid-major doubters. The social media team even leaned into the moment, trolling Florida football’s signature anthem with a post that simply declared, “WON’T BACK DOWN.”

Meanwhile, Auburn has endured a grueling, logic-defying path. After stumbling early against Milwaukee, the Tigers clawed their way back through the losers' bracket. A marathon Sunday featured multiple weather delays and a late-night victory over UCF. Despite the NCAA’s questionable scheduling choices, which forced the Tigers to play back-to-back games, Auburn’s resilience has kept their postseason hopes alive.

Alabama Baseball Takes Center Stage

May Madness is officially here, and Alabama is leading the charge alongside only California and Texas in sending five teams to the NCAA tournament. The drama was palpable on Sunday across the state:

• Alabama: Brady Neal delivered an 11th-inning, three-run shot to push the Tide past Oklahoma State 9-6, clinching a regional sweep and a spot in the Super Regionals at The Joe.
• Jax State: The Gamecocks fought hard but fell 6-3 to Little Rock.
• Auburn: Battling into the late hours, the Tigers fought to force a decisive Game 7 on Monday.

With Alabama already punching its ticket and others still in the hunt, the potential for multiple teams from the state to reach the Super Regionals remains a thrilling reality. How can you not be romantic about college baseball in Alabama?

Kevin Scarbinsky, a member of the U.S. Basketball Writers Association Hall of Fame, is a special contributor to 205focus.com. Follow him on X @kevinscarbinsky. Watch his Scarbo Knows podcast on YouTube.